morton



F. R. MORTON.

SCRAPING OR LEVELING MACHINE.

APPLICATION FILED APR. 11. 1921.

Patented May 16 11922 3 SHEETSSHEET 1.

F. R. MORTON.

SCRAPING 0R LEVELING MACHINE.

APPLICATION FILED APR. 11. 1921..

ZLAlGALQL Patented May 16, 1922.

3 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

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F. R. MORTON.

SCRAPING 0R LEVELING MACHINE.

' APPLICATION FILED APR. II. I92I- v 1,41 6,49%, Patented May 16, 1922..

- 3 SHEETS-,SIIEET 3.

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FREDERICK MORTON, 05F FRESNO, CALIFORNIA.

Application filed A ril 11,

To all whom it may concern Be it known that FREDERICK R. MORTON, a citizen ofthe United States, residing at Fresno, in the county of Fresno and State of California has invented certain new and useful Improvements in Scraping or Leveling Machines, of which the following is a specification.

My invention relates to machines for scraping, digging, or leveling earth, road beds or the like.

An important object of the invention is to provide a machine of the above mentioned character, having means to elevate and dump the scraping element, without the employment of gears, clutches or the like.

A further object of the invention is to provide means whereby the draft upon the machine is employed to raise and dump the scraping element.

A further object of the invention is to provide a machine of the above mentioned character, which is reliable in operation, strong and durable.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will be apparent during the course of the following description.

In the accompanying drawings, forming a part of the specification, and in which like numerals are employed to designate like parts throughout the same,

Fig. 1 is a plan view of a machine embodying my invention,

Fig. 2 is a side elevation of the machine, parts in section,

Fig. 3 is an enlarged detail section taken on line 3-3 of Figure 1, v

Fig. 4 is a similar view taken on line -44 of Figure 1,

Fig. 5 is an end elevation of the machine,

Fig. 6 is a detail section taken on line 66 of'Figure 1,

Fig. .7 is a detail section taken on line 77 of Figure 1.

Fig. .8 is a transverse section taken on line 8-8 of Figure 7,

Fig. 9 is a detail section taken on line 9-9 of Figure 2, and,

Fig. 10 is a detail section taken. on line 1010 of Figure 2.

In the drawings, wherein for the purpose of illustration is shown preferred embodi ments of my invention, the numeral 15 designates the main frame as a whole, embodying longitudinal beams 16, having forward converging portions 17 The beams 16 are Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented May 16, 1922.

1921. Serial No. 460,274.

The forward ends of the converging portions 17 are connected with a guide-housing 21, and are rigidly attached to the rearwardly diverging arms 22 of this guidehousing. The guide-housing 21, see particularly Figures 7 and 8, has a pair of upstanding arms 23 and a pair of depending arms 24, preferably rigidly secured thereto. Arranged between the arms 23 is a roller or wheel 25, carried by a bolt 26, adapted to be inserted in selected vertically spaced openings 27. A roller or wheel 28 is arranged between the arms 24, and carried by a bolt 29 or the like, for insertion within selected vertically spaced openings 30. By this means the rollers may be raised and lowered within their arms, and secured thereto in adjustment. A draw bar 31 extends through the guide-housing21, the top of which is slotted at 21'. The rollers 25 and 28 may hold this draw bar horizontal, or may permit of its angular adjustment. The draw bar, as will be explained, serves as the supporting means for the forward end of the main frame, and by the angular adjustment of the draw bar, such forward end may be raised or lowered.

- The rear end of the main frame 15 is supported' by an axle 32, upon which is rotatably mounted ground wheels 33. The ends of the axle project into openings 34 formed in boxes or castings 35, and are preferably keyed therein, or otherwise secured thereto. These boxes are provided with lower L- shaped flanges 36, which are bolted to the longitudinal beams 16, at 37. The boxes 35 are vertically arranged,.and carry pairs of upwardly extending vertical arms 38.

The numeral 39 designates an up er supplemental" frame, as a whole, em odying longitudinal .beams 40, connected by a transverse beam 41, and a rear transverse beam 41. The rear portions of the beams 40 extend between the arms 38, and are supported by lower rollers 42, arranged between the arms and pivotally connected therewith, while upper rollers 43 engage the top of the beams 40, and are pivoted to the arms 38. There is suflicient play between the beams 40 and the guide rollers 42 and 43,to permit of the forward end of the supplemental frame '39, being vertically adjusted, as well as their forward ends, to limit their downward 52, having a pair of spaced arms 53. This supporting bracket is arranged beneath the upon the transverse bar 19 of the main movement.

The numeral 45 designates a scraping or digging element as a whole, embodying a bottom 46 and back 47 and ends 48. A cleat 49, Figures 1, 2 and 10, is bolted to each end 48, near the top of this'end, and preferably nearer the back 47 than the front of the end. This cleat carries a sleeve 50, and integral therewith, receiving a trunnion 51, preferably cast upon a support or bracket beam 40 of the supplemental frame, and is rigidly secured thereto by bolts 54. It is thus seen that the scraping element is pivotally supported by the supplemental frame, and by virtue of the arrangement of the pivots 51, when the scraping element contains the earth, there is a tendency for the forward end of the scraping element to swing downwardly, but when the scraping element is empty, the rear portion including the back 47 is heavier than the forward end, and hence swings the forward end upwardly.

Means are provided to lock the scraping element 45 against turning movement upon its pivots 51,,including a reciprocatory bolt 55, operating through an opening in a bracket 56, bolted at 57, to the transverse beam 41' This bolt is adapted to enter an opening 58'formed in a coact ing lock elementor plate 59, and bolted to the back 47 near its center. The bolt 55 is pivoted at 60, to a vertically swinging lever 61, pivoted at 62 to a portion of the bracket 56, the lower end of this lever being urged forwardly .by a spring 63.

- Extending between the dependingarms 53 of the bracket 52, Figures 2 and 10, are links 64, pivoted thereto by pins 65. The lower ends of these links are arranged upon the opposite sides of knuckles 66, rigidly secured to the beams 16, and pivoted to these. knuckles by pins 67. The function of these links 64 is to connect the supplemental frame 39 and the main frame 15, permitting of the supplemental frame being moved longitudinally of the main frame, with its forward end'raised and lowered with relation to. the main frame.

Means are provided to lock the forward end of the supplemental frame against vertical' movement with relation to themain frame, comprising a latch 68 having a hooked end 69, to engage over a roller 70, pivoted 'upon the transverse bar 41 of the supplemental frame. The latch 68 is pivoted frame, to swing in a vertical plane, and is urged forwardly by a retractile coil spring 71, connected therewith, as more clearly shown in Figure 4. A rope or cable 72 is attached to the latch 68, near its upper end, and this cable extends rearwardly for connection, at

the cable 98' is secured 73, with the lower end of a vertical swinging lever 74, pivoted upon a bar or support 75, secured to the transverse beam 41. When the upper end of the lever 74 is swung forwardly, the head 69 of the latch 68 will be moved ofl' of the roller 7 0, and the forward end of the supplemental frame released. The numeral 76 designates a pulling bar, for the supplemental frame 39, the forward end of which is rigidly secured to the forward transverse bar 41 and the rear end rigidly secured to the transverse bar 41. This longitudinal pulling bar has a curved or arched portion 77, upon which a slide carriage 78, Figures 2 and 9, is mounted pulled rearwardl by a spring 78. .This slide carriage has an opening 79 for receiving a bolt 80, adapted for insertion within a selected one of the spaced openings 81, in the arched portion 77. The bolt 80 is pivoted to a lever 82, in turn pivoted to ears 83, at 84. These ears are formed integral with the carriage 78. A spring 85 serves to urge the forward end of the lever 82 outwardly, and a cord 86 or the like is secured to the forward end, the lever 82 being normally angularly arranged. The slide carriage 78 has a depending stop 87 rigidly secured thereto, arranged in the path of travel of the'back 47 of the scraping element, and serves to limit the turning movement of the scraping element upon its pivots 51. The longitudinal movement of the supplemental frame 39 (Fig. 2), in a forwardly direction, is limited by stop elements or bolts 87 adapted for insertion within selected openings 88, and to contact with the arms 38, as shown.

The numeral 89' designates a brake lever, Fig. 5, rigidly mounted upon ajrock shaft 90, pivoted within brackets 91, fixed to the transverse bar 18. The rock shaft 90 carries brake shoes 92, arranged to engage with the wheels 33, as shown.

The numeral 93 designates a draft bar, which may be rigidly secured to a tractor,,or upon a wheeled support drawn by horses or the like. The draft bar 93 is securelysupported against downward displacement, and this draft bar enters the U-shaped head 94 of the draw bar 31, and is connected therein by a pin or bolt 95. A coupling 96 is also carried by the upper end of thej pin or bolt, and has an, eye 97, to which is attached a cable 98. This cable extends upwardly and rearwardly above thesupplemental frame, for a substantial distance, and engages a grooved pulley 99, pivotally supported by a support or bracket 100, rigidly mountedv upon a transverse bar 101. This transverse bar is supported by longitudinal beams 102, the rear ends of which are secured to the transverse beam 19, and the forward ends to the diverging portions 17. The rear end of shown at 103.

to the pull bar 76, as

'77 to, the supplemental frame.

A pulley 104,. Figure 2, is pivoted Within a bracket 105, secured to the transverse beam 19, and this pulley isengaged by a cable 106, passed therebeneath and upwardly and attached to a bracket 107, secured to the beam 41. The cable 106 serves to draw the forward end of the supplemental frame downwardly. The cable 106 extends forwardly and is connected with a lever 108 at 109, and this lever is pivoted upon a bracket 110, se-

cured to the beam 102. A spring 111 swingsthe lever 108 forwardly.

A cable 112 is secured to the upper end of the-lever 74, and this cable extends to a suitable height upon the tractor or the like. A cable 113 is attached to the cable 112, at 114, and the cable 113 extends rearwardly for attachment to the upper end of the lever 61. There is considerable slack in the cable 113, and the pull upon the cable 112 will move the lever 74, without and before moving the lever 61.

The operation of the machine is as follows: The entire draft iira forward direction is transmitted to the draft bar 93, and the pull is transmitted to the cable 98, and through the medium of the pull bar The entire machine is thus drawn over the ground, the rear end of the machine being supported by the wheels 33, while its forward end is supported by the draft bar 93. The bottom 46 of the'scraping element is arranged to contact with the. ground, and scrape the earth, which is accumulated therein. When it is desired to stop this scraping action, the operator pulls upon the line or cable 112, sufficiently to operate the lever 74 without operating the lever 61. The lever 74 thus has its rear end swung rearwardly, and the head 69 of the latch 68 is moved from above the roller 70. The pull upon the cable 98, the draw bar 31 being capable of moving forwardly longitudinally with relation to the main frame, is upwardlyand forwardly with respect to the main frame, and hence the supplemental frame is shifted forwardly, and at fthe same time is elevated, due to the action of the links 64. This elevating movement raises the scraping element 45, from contact with the ground. When the machine reaches the point at which it is desired to dump the earth, the cable 112 is pulled sufficiently to operate the lever 61, the rear end of which is shifted rearwardly, and the bolt 55 withdrawn from the opening 58. The weight ofthe dirt upon the bottom 46 swings the bottom downwardly and the dirt is discharged from the scrap ing element. The scraping element 48 then automatically returns to its horizontal position and the 'bolt 55 again enters opening 58, looking the scraping element against turning movement upon its pivot. The supplemental frame is returnedto its lower rear position by pulling upon the lever 108, the returning movement being aided by the weight of the supplemental frame. It is thus seen that the leveling and dumping of the scraping element is effected entirely through the pull transmitted to or from the draw bar, and that no clutches, gears or the like are employed.

It is to be understood that the form of my invention herewith shown and described is to be taken as a preferred example of the same, and that various changes in the shape, size, and arrangement of parts may be resorted to without departing from the spirit of the invention or the scope of the subjoined claims.

Having thus described my invention, I- claim:

1. In a machine of the character described, a main frame, wheels supporting the same, a su plemental frame, means whereby the supp emental frame is supported by the main frame and is adapted to move upsupplemental frame with relation to the main frame and adapted when actuated to release the supplemental frame.

2. In a machine of the character described, a main frame, wheels supporting the same, a supplemental frame carried by the main frame, linkspivotally connected with the supplemental frame and with the main frame whereby a portion of the supplemental frame is raised with respect to the main frame when the supplemental frame is moved longitudinally with relation thereto, a scraping element carried by the supplemental frame, a draft device carried by the main frame and longitudinally movable with relation thereto, means for transmitting'the pulls upon the draft device to the supplemental frame, and a releasable device connecting the main frame and the supplemental frame and adapted to normally prevent the upward movement of the supplemental frame.

3. In a machine of the character described, a main frame, wheels for supporting the same, supporting means" carried by the main frame, a supplemental frame having its and the main frame forwardly of the sup-v i for connecting the forward end of the supplemental frame and the main frame.

4. In a machine of the character described, a main frame, wheels supporting the same, a supplemental frame extending longitudinally of the main frame, supporting means arranged between the rear portion of the supplemental frame and the main frame, links pivotally connecting the supplemental frame and main frame forwardly of the supporting means, means connected with the main frame to normally lock the forward end of the supplemental frame against upward movement, a draft device, an element connecting the draft device and supple mental frame, and a ground engaging element carried b the supplemental frame.

5. In a machine of the character described, a main frame, wheels supporting the same, a supplemental frame extending longitudinally of the main frame, supporting elements carried by the main frame and engaging the rear portion of the supplemental frame, links pivotally connecting the supplemental frame and main frame, means carried by the main frame to normally hold the forward portion of the supplemental frame. against upward movement, a pulley supported upon the main frame in an elevated position, a cable engaging the pulley and connected with the supplemental frame,

a draft device connected !with the main frame and secured to said cable, and a ground engaging element carried by the sup plemental frame.

6. In a machine of the character described, a main frame, wheels supporting same, a supplemental frame carried by the main frame and extending longitudinally thereof, links pivotally connecting the supplemental frame and main frame, means to draw the supplemental frame forwardly and upwardly, a draft device carried by the main frame and connected with the last named mieans, means to draw the supplemental frame rearwardly and downwardly, and a ground engaging element carried by the supplemental frame.

7. In a machine of the character described, a main frame, wheels for supporting same,a supplemental frame carried by the main frame, means for moving the forward poi:

device, and a scraping element carried by the supplemental frame.

8. In a machine of the character described, a main frame, wheels for supporting the main frame, a supplemental frame extending longitudinally of the main frame, means to move the forward end of the supplemem tal frame upwardly and longitudinally with relation to the main frame, a lock device to normally hold such forward end against up ward movement, a ground engaging element pivotally supported by the supplemental frame, a lock mechanism to normally hold the ground engaging element against turning movement upon its pivot, and common means to. release the lock device and lock mechanism.

9. In a machine of the character described, a main frame, a supplemental frame carried thereby, means to move the forward end of the supplemental frame upwardly with respect to the main frame, a lock device to normally'oppose such .upward movement of said end, a ground engaging element pivotally supported upon the supplemental frame, a, lock mechanism for nor mally holding the ground engaging element against turning movement upon its pivot, and common means to first release the lock device and subsequently release the lock mechanism.

10. In a machine of the character described, a main wheeled frame, a supplemental frame carried thereby, draft operated means to move the forward end of the supplemental frame upwardly with relation to the main frame, means to move such forward end downwardly, .a lock device to normally hold such forward end against upward movement, a ground engagingelement pivotally supported by the supplemental frame, a lock mechanism to hold the ground engaging element against turning upon its pivot, means to release the lock device and subsequently release the lock mechanism, and adjustable means to regulate the extent of turning movement of the ground engaging element when released.

In testimony whereof I affix my signature.

FREDERICK R. MORTON. 

